Shri Sanjeev Verma filed an RTI application dt.4.11.08 with the PIO, DoP, Gorakhpur requesting for information on action taken on his request in his letter dt.7.5.08 and asking whether the fraudulent payment against KVPs were audited or not and what action has been taken against the offenders. On not receiving any reply, he filed a complaint dt.26.5.09 before CIC reiterating his request for the information. The CIC vide its order dt.25.9.09 directed the PIO to provide information to the Complainant by 30.10.09 and to respond to the show cause notice for the delay in furnishing of information, by 5.11.09.
The Bench of Mrs. Annapurna Dixit, Information Commissioner, scheduled the hearing for November 13, 2009. Shri Rajeshwar Yadav, IPO representing CPIO represented the Public Authority.The Applicant was not present during the hearing.
Decision
The Respondent submitted that point wise information was provided on 28.11.08 informing the Complainant that the enquiry is being conducted by the enquiry officer, Sub Divisional Inspector (Central Sub Division), Balia. He also added that on receipt of hearing notice from CIC, the same information was sent once again to the Complainant on 28.10.09. He further stated that the preliminary enquiry has been conducted and the paid vouchers have been received which he did not possess at the time of replying to the RTI application on 28.11.08. Copies of paid vouchers have been furnished to SDI(Central Sub Division), Balia and only after analyzing them it would be possible to identify the offenders and till such time information against point 3 cannot be provided. He expressed his hope that the enquiry would be completed within one month. The Commission holds that available information has been provided to the Complainant and directs the PIO to inform the Complainant about the outcome of the enquiry and also to provide the enquiry report as well as the action taken on the offenders by 31.1.2010.
Since information has been provided well within the prescribed period, the Commission drops the penalty proceedings against the PIO..
Decision No CIC/AD/C/2009/000507 dated 13.11.2009
